-New Urban Home- Make Your Living Space A "No Fly Zone" with These Easy, Organic, D.I.Y. Insect Repellents

With the blistering heat currently overtaking the EU and the need to keep our windows (and doors) open for the slightest available draft, you might be at your wits end with the number of common houseflies and fruit flies attempting to invade your living space.  While common houseflies are in and of themselves very unsanitary and unattractive, fruit flies pose a more invasive problem as they have the ability to lay 200 eggs within a 48 hour period if left unchecked and undeterred.

If you can't stand the smell associated with store-bought insecticides or electric fly swatters, do-it-yourself repellents and traps are a simple, cost-effective, and aromatic method in the "restriction" line of defense when battling pesky flies attempting to move into your home.  If you'd like to curb the attractiveness of your home to flies, check out our simple indoor and outdoor repellent recipes below. All are easily assembled with common essential oils readily available at Budni, DM, and Edeka, or anyother Drogerie  at great prices!), and need little more than water as an added ingredient. If you don't have spray bottles or jars on hand, your local EuroPoint or the 1€ section at your neighborhood REWE  or PENNY Markt will have what you need to contain your repellent mixture-  and PENNY also carries inexpensive distilled water, usually in the grilling supply section near the charcoal.

Ätheriches Lavandelöl (Essential Lavender Oil) is readily available at your local DM Drogerie for 1,95 €.
While we use Japanische Heilöl (Japanese mint oil) from EDEKA (1,65), it's also available at  DM, BUDNI, PENNY, & ROSSMAN. Nelkenöl (Clove oil) is commonly used as a pain remedy dispensed at your local Apotheke, but it also works well as a an insect repellent ingredient. PRIMAVERA Clove Oil is available at larger BUDNI locations or larger health food stores, otherwise, you can just pick up a generic bottle of Nelkenöl from your neighborhood pharmacist.

The best line of defense against fruit flies is to make sure they have zero food matter available to attract them in their never ending attempts to nest and multiply. Follow up that exclusion line of defense with a super easy repellent spray made only of two ingredients: Essential Lemongrass Oil, and distilled water. Spray onto cabinets, countertops, or wherever you see the flies take an interest during daily household cleaning.  DM has the perfect essential oil in PROFISSIMO Naturreines ätherisches Öl Lemongras for only 1,95 €

Basil and rosemary are natural insect repellents in the garden.  These fresh aromatic herbs, water, and floating candles work with a 2-oil combo of lavender and lemongrass essential oils from DM to repel bugs from your patio when enjoying summer nights "al fresco". The homemade repellent lights also add a visually charming and rustic touch to any outdoor patio table- whether you're enjoying a cocktail, or a full sit down meal under the stars. PROFISSIMO Naturerines ätherisches Öl Lavendin and PROFISSIMO Naturreines ätherisches Öl Lemongras ,  both available at DM for 1,95 €.